By Agnes Szucs
BRUSSELS (AA) – The European Commission granted on Tuesday the status of Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) to the Caglayancerit walnuts from southern Türkiye.
The EU executive body announced in a statement that it has added the walnuts “to the list of 1,631 agricultural products already protected.”
“The biggest indicator of the historical importance and current size of walnut production in the (Caglayancerit) region are the walnut trees which age between 400-500 years,” the statement said.
“Walnut harvesting in the district is done by ancestral methods with 4-5 meters long sticks,” the EU said, explaining the “traditional transfer of experience” in production and preparation.
This is the 11th Turkish food product that has received EU protection, including Giresun Tombul Findigi hazelnuts from the Black Sea region, Suruc Nari pomegranates from Sanliurfa region, and desserts like kunefe from Antakya and baklava from Gaziantep.
The EU maintains a register for the names of agricultural products, foodstuffs, and drinks that enjoy protection across the bloc, featuring geographical indications, product qualities, and legal protection instruments.